Can-opener



(No Model.)

G. HIPWOOD. CAN OPENER.

STATES GEORGE HIPIVOOD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,810, dated April 21, 1891.

Application filed January 13, 1891. Serial No- 37'7,598. No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE IIIPwooD, of Boston,in the county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can- Openers, of which the following is a description sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which said invention appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an outer side elevation of my improved can-opener; Fig. 2, an inner side elevation of the same represented as in use on a can, the can being shown in section and broken away; Fig. 3, an end elevation of the same; Fig. 4:, a top plan view, the handle of the cutter being broken away; and Fig. 5 an elevation of the knife detached.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

My invention relates especially to a device for removing the tops of tin cans; and it consists in certain novel features, as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed the object being to produce a simpler, cheaper, and more effective device of this character than is now in ordinary use.

The nature and operation of the improve ment will be readily understood by all conversant with such matters from the following explanation.

In the drawings,A represents the guard of the can-opener. Said guard consists of a segmental plate or body-piece b, the upper edge of which projects laterally, forming lugs f, which are grooved horizontally to receive a sliding plate (1. The body I) is designed to engage the side of a can B, and the sliding plate cl to rest on the top when the device is in use. v A set-screw gholds the plate d in position in the lugs.

The outer face of the segmental body Ais provided with a curved groove 7t, and the edge of the sliding plate d is provided with a similar groove 2', said grooves being designed to receive the middle finger and thumb of the hand when operating the device.

The knife 0 hasahooked or curved doubleedged blade on, which is secured in a wooden handle D. The plate 61 is slotted longitudinally at p, and the blade m is pivoted at q to swing vertically in said slot, the point of the blade being when in position curved toward the butt of the handle D, as shown in Fig. 2. Said blade is pivoted eccentrically in relation to its plate d, and at one side of the central radial line of the guard. The forward end of the handle is bent or curved upward at t to form a rest for the base of the forefinger. A flat spring 1), secured to the handle, bears on the plate d and holds the handle in such position that the point of the knife on is normally concealed within the slot 19 of said plate.

In the use of my improvement the guard is adjusted on the can 13, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the handle D grasped with the base of the forefinger resting against the parti thereof, the thumb being inserted in the groove 6 of the plate (Z and the middle finger in the groove h of the guard-body b. By elevating the handle D and depressing its forward end tagainst the plate (l the blade on is easily forced through the top of a can, as shown in Fig. 2. The length of the guard A affords sufficient leverage to prevent said guard from tilting and the knife from slipping during this operation. By rocking the handle D the outer cutting-edge w of the knife cuts its way in the can-top, and the hand grasping the guard, as described, the device may be readily fed along the edge of the can. By adjusting the plate cl in its ways, as shown in Fig. 4, the knife may be moved inward to cut the cantop at any desired distance from the side of the can, the segmental body Z) readily conforming to the shape of cans varying greatly in size. By pivoting the knife 0 eccentrically of the guard A and extending the handle at t, as described, when said handle is elevated the pressure is brought on said portion 25 and in front of the fulcrum q, enabling the curved blade to be forced through the cantop with very little expenditure of power, said blade being so formed that its pointpasscs perpendicularly through the top, practically on the central radial line of said guard. As the handle is actuated to out said top, the guard is easily moved forward, as described, and the peculiar shape of the blade causes it 3. In a can-opener, a guard comprising a vertical segmental body, and a horizontallyadjustable top respectively engaging the side and top of the can, in combination with acutting-blade pivoted eccentrically in said top, substantially as set forth.

4. In a can-opener, a guard, in combination with a curved blade pivoted eccentrically and laterally adjustable therein, and a. handle on said blade projecting in front of the fulcrum thereof, substantially as described.

GEORGE HIPWO OD.

Witnesses:

O. M. SHAW, K. DURFEE. 

